‘Shop with a Cop’ was an overwhelming success again this year in Saugeen Shores.
Hosted by the town’s three Rotary Clubs at Vanderwerf’s Independent Grocer in Port Elgin, teams from local elementary schools competed in a fun shopping excursion to see who could select groceries for local food banks, within a limited dollar amount and time length.
Before heading out, Rotarian Dave Bertrand laid out the rules and explained the items most needed by the Food Banks, everything from hygiene products and diapers to canned foods, rice, soup and juices.
John Van Bastelaar, Food Bank volunteer and Rotarian said that at least 20 per cent of the Salvation Army Food Bank users are actually working people. “With rents as high as they are, for many there is no money at the end of the month for food. Believe me, everything that comes into the Food Bank gets used.”
With calculators at the ready, two students from each school teamed up with a police officer (cop) to fill a grocery cart within 30 minutes to come as close as possible to $300, without going over the limit. The local Rotary Clubs purchased all the food collected (even those who exceeded the goal) and the winning team then received an additional gift card for their school.
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Northport School: Officer Stacey Gordon/students Ayla Harrison & Sonny Bablak – $285.
G.C. Huston: Officer King/students Evelyn Hyde & Finn Andrews – $340
Saugeen Central: Officer Adam Sachs/students Colton Perkins & Eila Driver – $325
Winning Team: St. Joseph’s – Officer Kevin Cook/students Sadie Cutting and Vera Quibell – $297.94
For the second consecutive year, Sgt. Kevin Cook, and his students, were again the champion shoppers. “I’m a little disappointed,” said Cook laughingly, “I thought we could come in a little closer to the $300 limit!”
G. C. Huston Public School in Southampton and Northport School in Port Elgin collected for the Saugeen First Nation Food Bank while Saugeen Central and St. Joseph’s Catholic School collected for the Salvation Army Food Bank in Port Elgin.
“We are always happy to do this event,” said Police Chief Kevin Zettel. “It gives our officers the opportunity to help the community and also to work with young students on a one-to-one basis.”
Owen Brown, cashier at Independent, said he remembers taking part in Shop with a Cop when he was in Grade 6 at Saugeen Central school.
